Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Back and Forth

Tucker’s war with diabetes is an on-going struggle, as, I think, is the case with every sufferer of this frustrating condition. Though we intend to win this war and force diabetes into full retreat, right now, we seem to lose a skirmish here and there, only to break through after a more severe battle.

All of this metaphor means simply that the roly poly one has reached another stage in his fight. I can’t say that it satisfies me, but his doctor is pleased. After the random results of spot-checks over a couple of weeks, Tucker’s blood-glucose numbers have stabilized to a certain degree. We have now settled on giving him two units of insulin twice a day. This reduces his numbers usually to the 14 to 15 range, when at their lowest.

This is not what I consider satisfactory. The numbers should be under ten for a happy reading. However, these nadirs have been accompanied by sudden and unheralded drops to very low numbers, such as seven and even five. If these were consistent, and we could count on their appearances, then this would be good news indeed. But they are interspersed with the higher nadirs. So, while an increase of Tucker’s medicinal dosage would lower his overall numbers, they might also cause one of these haphazard, very low nadirs to fall too low.

Therefore, though I am ambivalent about his current status, the new dosage - and accompanying higher nadir - will provide stability for the furry sausage. Furthermore, his everyday activity is perfectly normal: a good sign. For now, he is relieved of his daily pokes in the ear for blood. I will conduct a curve on him soon, so we will learn the extent of his blood-sugar’s daily activity. Tucker’s tussle with his condition leads to what probably seems to be repetition in these articles, for which I apologise, but the only repetition I find on our end is one of bewilderment and annoyance with a condition that won’t behave itself.

At least this little fellow is behaving himself.

21 comments:

  1. dood.....tell dad noe knead ta apologize; knot onlee can theeze postz may bee help another, but dad can ree furr bak two em if knead bee....ya noe

    oh, N grate werk catfather.. coz ya STILL haz yur dad thinkin ya iz.... bee havin ;) !! ♥♥☺☺

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    1. That's true: I have already used the previous entries as references. And yes, Tucker is pretty good at his disguise...

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  2. Tucker..."the roly poly one" and "the furry sausage"...and then "this little fellow"! I, for one, appreciate your reporting of Tucker's diabetes battle…for lack of a better word. When Chucky's constant, daily fight with his intestinal problems caused us to want to tear our hair out, we had to remind ourselves that our goal was to win the war not just the daily skirmishes. Thank goodness for hardwood floors and puppy pee pads! We found that sweet spot, that lasted for a long time.

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    1. I suppose it's a matter of finding the right place and then constant tuning to keep it there. It's worth it for them, though.

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  3. I really can't imagine how frustrating this is and forgive me that I write that I truly hope I never know from personal experience, either with my boys or with myself. I don't know if/how I could manage any more feline health issues! At any rate, you certainly are doing the very best any human possibly can for Tucker!

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    1. You have had to go through enough with Nicki's asthma. That it seems is just as trying for the both of you as diabetes is for Tucker and me. Your boys are in the best of care.

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  4. I am glad Tucker is acting normal , that is what is most important.

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  5. Managing diabetes in cats is ongoing - monitoring, adjusting and hoping and sometimes relief. i am sure Tucker is feeling well and happy with you managing his health. Thank you for keeping us up to date on his up and downs with his health. He is such a lovely boy.

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    1. When I see him snoozing like this or hear him purring, it's all worth it.

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  6. Thanks for the update on Tucker's diabetes, John. However, please don't apologize for repetitive posts. Your posts are certainly not repetitive, and we are all interested in how Tucker is doing. Unfortunately diabetes is a very difficult condition to control, and it seems that no matter what you do you cannot get blood sugar values where you would like them. I think you're doing an outstanding job caring for Tucker, and sometimes that's the best you can do. Please continue to update us regarding how he is doing.

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    1. I hope that Tucker's condition will be such that he gives me plenty of other things to write about. But if anything changes, I'll be writing of it.

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  7. Awww a sleepy cat photo just makes me smile.

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    1. There is something very restful about them like that, isn't there?

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  8. I would say Tucker doesn't appear to share your frustration John. He looks pretty darn content. Makes sense since you do the worrying. You're a great "pawrent"!

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    1. Thank you. As long as he feels content, I will be.

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  9. We cat parents would go to the ends of the earth to make it right for those we love.

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  10. Kea said it all for me this day. And the loving labor involved in his (and their) is great.

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    1. Tucker and the others repay me manifold for my efforts.

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  11. It must be frustrating to get the numbers right, but Tucker is in the very best hands with you. Looking at him he is obviously leaving the worrying to you because he looks like he hasn't a care in the world.

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